Leadership in a school environment is one of the most important opportunities for students to partake in: Addie DeGood sets a stand-out example as student governor. Student Senate has a number of jobs, including helping the school community feel closer and more connected. They run fun games, fundraisers, lead sporting events, and most importantly provide a link to the school administration board for what the students truly need and want.
As governor, DeGood has the requirements of running the student body and being a major leader. Head Principal Brian Guiney is new to the school but sees DeGood’s commitment and leadership.
“I think the first thing a good leader has to do is show up, and Addie is here every day engaging with the Senate. She’s very present and she has a positive presence in the building,” Guiney said.
DeGood has been interested in Senate since freshman year, and later joined in her sophomore year. She wanted to help out and be a part of the school.
“I thought that I had some good ideas and I had a personality [that] could help out in a leadership environment and I just wanted to be a part of the Senate,” DeGood said.
School, especially during the dark winter months can feel long and gloomy. DeGood and other members in the senate work closely with the administration to plan activities to give the students something to look forward to.
“The Senate brings a lot of fun to school, whether it’s a creature game night or a lunchtime activity like karaoke,” Guiney said.
Being a student school governor requires you to have the ability to have excellent communication skills. School governors have to communicate with many people including the principal, senate, and administration staff.
“Student Senate can act as a go-between between administration and the student body. They share concerns with us. They share ideas with the administration. So they’re a conduit to what students are thinking and feeling, Addie is very communicative with me, and that’s helpful,” Guiney said.
DeGood has left her mark on West, and has inspired others to follow in her footsteps. For instance, junior Taylor Porter has learned that in order to help the school you have to think with others in mind in order to better the school, something she sees strongly exemplified through DeGood.
“She is very compassionate and hard working and she works really hard to try to get into a better school. From Addie, I have learned how to think with your head and your heart to make good decisions to better the school,” Porter said.